My Favorites of 2010 – Bento Edition

I’ve picked a few of my favorite bentos I made in 2010 to share. I’ll be adding recipes and tips for some of these dishes as I re-make them in 2011 so be on the lookout!

I love Trader Joes Bento

[gnocchi, roasted veggies, eggplant, and fresh cantaloupe]

This bento was made mostly from ready-made goodies from Trader Joes. They make it so easy, fast, and cheap. Another reason I love shopping there? They have beautiful chalkboard signs to highlight products and specials!

Party in my Tummy Bento

[Pesto turkey bacon sandwich, mac & cheese, crackers w/ pepper jack cheese, mini cupcake, white chocolate raspberry truffle, and pineapple]

This bento was made up of some leftovers from my friend’s birthday party celebration, the highlight being the mini cupcake, yum! My friend and I planned this all-girls LBD (Little Black Dress) party from the menu to the decorations, but my favorite was the DIY photobooth I set up as my b-day surprise to her!

Mini-Spam Musubi

[Mini-spam musubi, chicken and potato stew, marinated cucumber, fresh pineapple, apple, & cherries]

One of the first bentos I made and my first time making Spam Musubi. I had the perfect sized rice mold (from a local Daiso) to be topped with the cooked spam (cut into 3 pieces) and wrapped with nori.

♥ Fried Rice Bento

[Fried rice, ♥ fried egg, fresh veggies, cherries, and cream puff dessert]

Fried rice is such a great way to use up all your left-over veggies and meats. I added some kimchi to this for some extra kick and it was perfectly delicious.  I topped it off with a heart-cutout omelette (cut out with a heart-shaped cookie cutter from Sur La Table) for a little peak inside and some cute appeal.

Picnic Bento Feast

[Egg salad sandwich, turkey/cheese sandwich, pickle spears, Trader Joes Mediterranean pasta salad, corn bread muffins w/ packets of honey]

This picnic bento was packed for a co-worker and I to enjoy on our weekly lunch hours together. It was the perfect, sunny, picnic weather, until lunchtime came around. So unfortunately, we ended up eating indoors..but the food was good anyways! I can’t wait to get more use out of this picnic bento box when it gets nice outside (purchased from Tokyo Lifestyle store in Southcenter, Seattle)